Comparison of Phenol Removal between Electrochemical Reaction and Plasma Reaction

The characteristics of phenol removal and $UV_{254}$ matters variance were investigated and compared by the variation of operating factors (NaCl concentration, air flow rate, initial phenol concentration) in electrochemical reaction (ER) and dielectric barrier discharge plasma reaction (DBDPR), respectively. The phenol removal rate was shown as $1^{st}$ order both in ER and DBDPR. Also, the absorbance of $UV_{254}$ matters which means aromatic intermediates was analyzed to investigate the complete phenol degradation process. In ER, the phenol degradation and aromatic intermediates production rates increased by the increase of NaCl concentration. However, in DBDPR, the variation of NaCl concentration had no effect on the degradation of phenol and $UV_{254}$ matters. Air flow rate had a little effect on the removal of phenol and the variation of $UV_{254}$ matters in ER. The phenol removal rate in ER was a little higher than that in DBDPR. The produced $H_2O_2$ and $O_3$ amounts in ER were 2 times and 10 times higher than those in DBDPR. The chlorine intermediates ($ClO_2$ and free chlorine) were produced in ER, however, they were not produced in DBDPR.